Aldren and Ameni had been in the wilderness for a couple of sevendays when in the distance they saw a column of smoke rising through the trees.  Aldren had recovered his strength and agility.  The wounds had turned into a set of scars that matched the others on his body.  Somehow they just seemed to belong on him.

Aldren decided he wanted to ride to see what was going on, but it was Ameni who cautioned him about the last few times they had investigated strange happenings.  After some discussion, Aldren realized that his mate was not against seeing what was going on; only that she was urging caution.  And she was right.  From the clothing of the assassin that Ameni had dispatched they had discovered that their descriptions were being circulated throughout the lands and that there was a large price for their heads.  To keep their freedom, they would have to practice more caution.

The smell of smoke was stronger as they approached the edge of the woods.  The trees broke away in a line into a large field that had been hacked into the wilderness.  The saplings that were trying to encroach on the cleared area told of how much of a struggle keeping the fields in this part of the country was.  Now fallow, Aldren could see the remains of the crops that had once been grown here.

At the far edge of the field the source of the smoke was evident.  What once was a small hut was now a pile of blackened embers.  They slowed their approach even more, Ameni listening for any sign of who had done this and perhaps for the sounds of any survivors.

There were no survivors.  Dismounting, they found the remains of a man and a woman probably the ones who had farmed this land.   Their bodies had been viciously hacked and the woman had been partially burned from a timber that had fallen from the roof.

It was also evident that they didn’t die without a fight.  Scattered around were bodies of large man like creatures.  “Hirgana” said Ameni, spitting the word out like it left a bad taste in her mouth.  Known in the common tongue as the Arpuk, they were thought to be a race of creatures that was not so different from man at some time in history.  However instead of progressing they became more primitive.  They no longer seemed to have the intelligence to have a civilization instead they moved around in groups of a dozen foraging and killing without any reason.  They usually stayed away from a large gathering of humans attacking lone travelers or at the most a pair.  Their size and aggressiveness made them dangerous to have in the area. 

Neither one of the travelers wanted to meet up with what was left of the group, so they stayed only long enough to burn the bodies so the scavengers would not find them and then they hurried on in the direction opposite of the creatures trail.  As they rode, Aldren kept thinking about why the Arpuk were in this part of the kingdom.  They normally stayed close to the mountains in the south.  Something or someone must have driven them out.  If they were this far north what other creatures had migrated as well?

They forged ahead, taking turns sleeping in the saddle.  They did not make a lot of progress, but at least they were moving.  As dawn was approaching they stopped long enough to let the horses rest and to get something to eat.  The path they were riding on had widened into a rough road, the twin trails showing as deep gouges in the packed earth.  They decided to follow the road and see what the settlement that it led to looked like.

What they came upon was a festival in progress.  Within the village square and scattered between the buildings were tents that contained the wares of tradesmen and artisans all proudly displayed.  Local farmers were selling the remains of their harvests and in general there was an air of gaiety.  Aldren watched a group of children play a game where the rules seemed complicated and ever changing as they squealed and laughed.  The shoppers seemed to be in their finery, the women looking in the stalls and the men watching them in groups of their own.

Aldren dismounted and led his mount toward the watering trough that was just on the edge of the square.  They tied their horses to a nearby tree and started into the crowd.  Besides being a break from the wilderness, this was a chance for them to find out some information about the area and even to get a feel for how loyal to the king the locals were.  

They stopped at a Tanners tent to glance at the wares he had displayed.  The man on the other side of the table was tall and thin with dark hair and a hawkish nose.  His dark eyes darted quickly over the pair that stood before him.

Aldren started the conversation with him by inquiring about a pair of boots for Ameni.  The soft leather of her calf-length boots was showing wear from the rough trails they had been on.

“Aye, I may have something that would fit the foot of one so fair.” he said as he looked through several pairs behind him.  Ameni blushed at the compliment.  For all the rough living they had endured, she was still woman enough to enjoy being commented on.  

Turning back to the pair the tanner shook his head.  “I am sorry, but I do not have any that would be up to the quality you would expect.  However, I will be happy to make a pair from this soft doe hide that I just traded for.”

“I do not believe that we will be here long enough for you to do so.”  was Aldren’s reply.

“It is still in the early part of the day.  If you could come back just before dark, I would have them ready.  And they would be of a quality worthy of an Elven maid”

With that, they bartered on the price, and the deal was sealed.  Aldren gave him half the amount with the promise of the remainder when they picked up the boots.  The tanner called to his apprentice to watch the booth, then he measured Ameni’s feet and set to work.

The couple then wandered through the maze of stalls and tents, looking at goods and sampling the foods that were offered.  Ameni bought a couple of meat pies hot from the oven while Aldren secured a skin of the local wine.   They found a bench near the well in the center of town and had lunch.  The pies were full of meat and vegetables and were just hot enough to singe their tongues.  The wine was dark red and had a sweet but woody flavor.

As they finished their meal, a young girl and a few of her companions stepped up to the couple.  The leader looked to be around 7 or so winters old with long brown hair and big blue eyes.  She stood with her hands folded in front of her shifting from one foot to another.

She looked at Ameni and spoke in a twinkling voice, “Please could we ask a question?”

Ameni smiled at the child and nodded her acceptance.

“Are...Are you really an Elf?”

“Yes, little one I am an elf” Seeing that the leader was not in trouble, the other gained courage and moved closer.

“Mother said that there were no elves left in the land.  She was very sad about it.  She will be happy to know that you are not all gone.”

“You may tell her that the elves have not gone from these lands.  They are just harder to find in these days.”

Another girl spoke up.  “Are all the elves as pretty as you?”  

Ameni ducked her head as she blushed, but Aldren spoke up for her.  “All the elves are fair in appearance, but Ameni is among the fairest.”  He grinned down at the girls, which made them giggle.

“Thank you my Lady, my Lord” said the leader.

“You are entirely welcome.”  

With that, the group ran off talking excitedly among themselves.  The rest of the day was spent wandering through the festival, watching the dancing that had started up in the square.  Ameni pulled him into the edge of the crowd and they had a turn or two before returning to the winemaker’s stall for another skin.

It was toward dusk when they returned to their horses to leave.  They had talked to many of the buyers and sellers and found that the “dealings down south” were of little interest to them.  The influence of the priests was minimal here.  But that outside of the village there were bands of rogues and raiders that wandered around pillaging the outlying farms.  The biggest threat so far was a band of mercenaries that were also into the trading of slaves.  They were for the most part a peaceful village but the men had taken to keeping their weapons at the ready.

They had made it past the sounds and smells of the village when Aldren remembered the boots that had been made for his mate.  Ameni said that she would wait for him at the side of the road after she found a clearing for their camp.  Aldren turned back and rode back to the village.

He got to the Tanner’s booth just as he was beginning to close up.  He did have the boots ready and they were as good as he stated.  A light tan leather, soft to the touch and well sewn.  The inside was lined with hare skin so they were warm as well as soft.  He had also sewn a sole of heavy hide to the bottoms so they would withstand the rigors of travel.

Aldren praised the craftsman and promised that if they were in need and in the area they would return to him.  Paying the remainder of the price, they shook hands and Aldren headed back to his mate.

Aldren rode down the road that he had left Ameni on watching carefully for any sign of her.  What he found was the bodies of several men and Ameni’s bow.  Anger, then fear pushed up through the depths of his being as he dropped from the stallion’s back.

He started checking the bodies one by one searching for a clue as to where Ameni had been taken.  These men looked like they had been living dangerously for some time to judge by the scars and missing digits.  Their clothing revealed very little other than they were well worn.  These must be the raiders that the villagers had been talking about.

He stood and started looking for the trail that showed their direction of travel. Even in the dark it was easy to make out.  They were apparently not worried about being followed which meant that they felt comfortable in their numbers.  He once again mounted and turned to follow when he heard a groan from one of the bodies that lay there.  He moved closer and peered down to see that this man was close to death.  The wound that had been inflicted had been made from a slicing weapon, so he was sure it had been Ameni that had done the damage.

Bending down in the saddle he told the man that he would ease his passing if he would tell where the rest of his band was bound.  The wounded man just spat curses at Aldren.  With a final look of disgust, he turned and left him for the Reavers to consume at their leisure.  

He followed them into the forest following the trail of broken branches and trampled grass.  They were going in a more or less straight line heading southwest.  They were riding hard and it was clear that they had a destination in mind.  Aldren covered close to 50 leagues before the sun was clearing the tops of the hills to the east of him.  He stopped to rest and let the stallion rest as well.  It would not do for him to be tired when he did catch them.

He arose about the time that the sun was midway to its zenith.  He retightened the saddle and mounted up once again.  He set off at a pace that he felt the stallion could keep and ate and drank in the saddle as the leagues melted away.  The light of the day was almost gone when Aldren came upon their base of operations. 

The trail had ended at an ancient fortress.  The high walls were still intact as well as some of the buildings.  Built from the surrounding rock, it had stood for hundreds of winters.  Once the dwelling of some nobleman, it was now the stronghold of the kidnappers.  Aldren looked closely at the battlements, searching for some way in.  Only one man guarded the rampart.  The rest of the group was in the compound judging by the sound of revelry drifting over the walls.

The warrior moved along the back of the keep, finding the base of one of the corner towers that had crumbled leaving the start of an opening.  He quietly moved some of the smaller stones until he could squirm through the opening.  As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he found where the door had been that opened into what was probably the courtyard.  When he tried to shove against the rotting wood, he felt the wood give but he could not get any further because of rubble on the other side.  Then he spied the staircase that would take him up and onto the rampart.  The stairs were stone but the winters that had passed since their making had taken their toll.  After the first one tried to crumble on the edge, he proceeded with more caution.

A few years of battle had taught him that his strength, speed and skill would not be enough if they caught him before he was ready.  So he had to rely on stealth to find some way to rescue his companion.  Slipping up the stairs, he pulled his blade from the sheath on his back.

Looking out the dark archway he saw the same sentry that he had spotted from the outside.  The man was careless, watching the courtyard instead of an attack from the surrounding fields.  Aldren got within a few feet before the man had sensed him.  As the man started to turn, Aldren’s sword moved in a swinging arc toward the guard’s neck.  With the power of a double handed swing behind it the steel blade sliced through the man’s throat severing his head before he could utter a cry of alarm.   His body slumped as his lifeless legs collapsed.  His head hit the wall with a muffled crunch then rolled a few feet down the causeway before it stopped. 

Aldren then turned toward the commotion in the courtyard.  He saw the raiders sitting around a small fire that illuminated the area.  He finally spotted Ameni trussed up and propped against the wall.  He was trying to plan his attack, thinking the best plan would be to wait until they fell asleep, kill any guards and free Ameni.  However, his plan abruptly changed when one of the men decided he wanted some female companionship before they turned her over to the slavers.  Aldren knew he needed to do something fast.

=================================

The leader of the raiders was lounging against the stone post that marked the outer wall of some building that had long since collapsed.  He was comfortable in the knowledge that they had captured at least enough strong people to make the raids worthwhile.  There were a dozen more tucked safely in the building behind him.  He was not sure of the amount they would bring, but it would help make up for the men that the Elven She-devil had dispatched.

The Elf slut had been a tough capture.  He had taken a dozen men with him and she had killed six before Ceak had stopped her with his sling.  The rock had stunned her enough for them to get her tied up.  He looked over toward where she was tied.  She was awake and alert.  He could see in her eyes the anger and hatred, but shrugged it off.  He was just happy that the ropes that bound her were well tied.  This one was dangerous.

One of the new recruits, Larab, got up to move toward the captive.  The leader started to call him back, but thought better of it.  She couldn’t get away, not with the 8 men that were here.  Besides the new boy could use a lesson on playing with the captives, especially one such as this.

Larab knelt down where Ameni was tied up.  He put his ugly face down close to hers, and she could smell his fetid breath.  “You not gonna try anything is ya?”  He asked leering down at her breasts.  His eyes moved up to her face and saw her shaking her head.  “That smart.  We all may want a turn on you and it will just go easier if you lay back and enjoy it.”

He rolled her over and untied her legs first, then her arms.   Moving her onto her back he watched for any movement signaling escape.  That she would fight never entered his mind. He stood near her feet and started to remove his leggings.  The thought of having his way with this elf-bitch had him excited and nervous.  As he knelt down to spread her legs, Ameni brought her foot up and caught him solidly in the stones.  He descent was more rapid than he intended, and he dropped on his back, holding his crotch with both hands.

The rest of the men laughed at his sorry state.  The laughter of his comrades along with the idea that she had hurt him enraged Larab.  He picked up his knife aiming to maim her since the leader had stated he wanted her alive.

He had barely struggled to his feet when he heard someone yell in a strange language.  They all looked toward the wall to see something come flying out of the shadows, landing near the fire.  Everyone stared as the head of their companion came rolling to a stop at the edge of the fire.

Frozen at the unexpected sight, they were slow to react to the large, mail clad figure that was rushing from the same area where the gristly remains had come from.  At first they thought it was some sort of demon since he seemed to have a fire glowing around him.  He was also speaking in a strange language. Ameni recognized it as Elvish, but the words themselves were unfamiliar.  She thought it must be an ancient form of Elvish that had been thought lost for time uncounted.

Aldren had seen Ameni kick the mercenary and saw the reaction.  Up until now he had been pretty calm.  When Larab had pulled out the knife, he once again had felt the battle rage overcome him.  His enemies were slowing down in their movements and he felt the power within him come to the surface. With every step he felt some power growing within him.  It felt as though he would burst if he did not release it somehow. 

He had made it most of the way across the courtyard before anyone could mount a defense.  The first man to reach him was immediately falling forward holding his organs that were coming out from the slice that Aldren had put in his midsection. When he contacted fire seemed to erupt from his sword.  The next was left with blood spurting from a gash that went from his groin to his shoulder.

Ameni had jumped up from the ground and had dispatched Larab before he knew what was happening.  She grabbed her knives from the doorway where they had been placed, and joined the fray.  She dispatched the one called Ceak and looked up to see where Aldren was.  As soon as she spotted him she froze in her tracks.

She had heard legends about ancient elven warrior/mages who could call the elements to them.  They would be surrounded by fire, which made them nearly invincible.  But this came only to the most powerful.  Yet she was seeing it first hand in the form of her mate.

She shook herself out of her shock in enough time to block a thrust from one of the few raiders left.  She then slit his throat and kicked the body in the chest to get him out of her way.  She turned in time to see Aldren kill the leader.  He poised his sword as if to pierce the raider’s heart, but the sword never touched the man.  Instead, a tongue of flame shot from the sword’s point and shoot straight into the man’s chest.  The man screamed in agony as his entire body burst into flame, becoming a pile of ashes in just seconds.

With the death of the raider’s leader the fire surrounding Aldren started to dissipate.  As it left, Aldren dropped to his knees totally exhausted.  His sword fell clattering to the ground and he slumped over.  Ameni ran to him checking to see if he was injured.  She tried to pull him up, but he fell into her arms unconscious.  She found that he was still alive, but totally exhausted.  She gently lowered him to the ground and tried to make him comfortable.  Then she went to release the other prisoners.

The dozen women and young men were in varying states of health.  All wore the marks of torture and were in dire need of food and drink.  Those that were the most able were sent to find food and water for the others.  She then went about gathering up the weapons.

She was still pulling items from the bodies when she heard a moan of agony from Aldren.  She ran over to him and knelt down.  Every muscle in his body was pulled so tight they looked about to burst.  She tried to knead the muscles to relax them but the cramping was so widespread that she could not keep up.  Frantically, she shouted to one of the prisoners that was walking in the courtyard to come and help her.  Together they worked feverishly until they both developed cramps in their own arms.  Suddenly, the muscles went slack and Aldren fell into a more normal slumber.

Ameni stood and went to check on everyone and to get food and water for herself.  When she returned to Aldren she found him in a restful slumber.  She pulled a blanket over them both and fell into a fitful sleep.

As the light of the sun peeked over the walls and into the courtyard, Ameni stirred. Remembering the events of last night, she awoke completely and checked on Aldren.  At her touch on his face he stirred and groaned. Opening his eyes he saw his bondmate looking down at him with a worried stare.

He smiled at her and attempted to sit upright.  He made it, but he could not believe just how sore and stiff his body was.  It was if he had fought a daylong battle.  Ameni’s gentle touch helped him to keep his balance as his muscles refused to cooperate.  Eventually, he found his bearings and started to move around a little bit.  Ameni brought him some stew that had been cooking over the fire and a draught of wine.

The prisoners were now starting to stir.  After a good meal they had recovered a great deal though some were still too weak to walk far.  These were the ones that had been in captivity the longest.  It would take a day or two more for them to recover enough to start back to their villages.

Aldren asked for someone to go out the gates and bring in the stallion.  He was tied in the trees just beyond the castle.  Knowing the temperament of the horse was likely to be skittish, Ameni went herself.  She found him and calmed him down before bringing him back.

While she was gone, Aldren succeeded in standing and finally walking.  At first he moved like an old man but by the time Ameni returned, he had worked most of the stiffness out.  He was examining the bodies of the men that had been slain when Ameni returned.

When walked up to where he was squatting.  He looked up at her puzzled.  “I recognize a few of the wounds as coming from you.  But these others seem strange.”  He pointed to the first man he met in the courtyard the night before.  “Look at the edges of the wound.  They looked like they were charred by a fire.”

Ameni looked into his face.  “Don’t you remember at all what happened?”  When he shook his head she continued.  “You came across the courtyard yelling in what I think was an ancient form of Elvish.  You were moving at a great speed, and were enveloped in fire.  It surrounded you.  The raiders did not stand a chance.  Their leader...”  She hesitated as she relived the sight,  “You didn’t even touch the leader.  A flame shot from your sword and burnt him to ashes!”

Aldren looked at her in disbelief.  “I remember nothing from when I saw the scum lunge at you with the knife.  I threw the head of the guard to try and distract them, and then I felt like something was building in me.  Then I woke up stiff and sore this morning.”

Ameni grasped his upper arms.  “Remember what Belwin told you?  That you had tremendous power and that you would have to harness it.  I think you unleashed that power in your battle rage without any control on it.  And this is the result.”

Aldren knew that he had to learn to harness that power and to learn to make it do his bidding.  He felt that if it went uncontrolled again, it could kill him.  He went to the stallion and pulled his mother’s journal out hoping to find something to help him.  He spent most of the day alone reading and thinking.

They set a watch around dusk using the most able men and bade the rest to sleep for they were going to leave in the morning.  Then the rest settled down for the night.  The excitement of going home was rampant but most were soon sleeping.

Aldren lay awake for some time deep in thought.  The source of his power was still a mystery to him, other than perhaps coming from his mother’s blood.  That much he could understand and handle.  What caused him the most concern was that he couldn’t control when it showed itself, and especially when it was let loose.  He had learned from his mother’s journals that it was probably a form of wild magic and among the hardest to harness.  But when controlled, it was one of the most powerful.  Lying still he concentrated on the feeling that had overcame him and he felt the tingling beginning again.  He quickly stopped but vowed to study and work harder on it in the future.

The trek that Aldren had made in less than two day took almost a week.  The weakest were set upon the horses that had belonged to the raiders but the pace was still slow.  On the evening of the fifth day from the castle, the town came into sight.  There was rejoicing when families were reunited.  Fathers back with their children and wives, young sons and daughters were again with their parents.

Aldren and Ameni were both treated like royalty.  They were offered anything in the village including several of the daughters for Aldren’s pleasure.  They were given a small house for their private use and the best of what the village had.  The first night Aldren remembered the boots and presented them to Ameni.  She was delighted in them and decided to thank him in a way that would give them both a vast amount of pleasure.

After kissing him soundly, she pushed him down upon the bed.  She untied his breeches as he removed his tunic.  When he was naked, she stepped back and started to remove her own clothing.  When she had finished, Aldren once again stared in wonder at her perfect body.  He skin was flawless except for the scar that ran from her left breast and along her side.  Her hips, backside and legs were still perfect.  He called her over and started to caress her skin as she moved up to lie beside him.  Her own hands were exploring him as well as she reached up for another kiss.  

Their coupling started out slow and tender.  She was soaked with her excitement and he slid into her easily while they lay side by side.  He was moving slowly enjoying the feel of her breasts rubbing against him as he moved in and out of her.  She matched his movements, rocking her lower body in rhythm to him, trying to pull as much of his manhood into her as possible.

As their passion started to climb, Ameni rolled onto her back, pulling Aldren over her.  No matter how capable she was in other things, she still enjoyed the feeling of her bondmate covering her, protecting her in a way.  The sight of his large body over her was almost as exciting to her as feeling his manhood moving in and out of her body.

Aldren felt his release was coming closer and he started moving faster.  Ameni felt the change in speed and pulled her long legs up rolling her lower body.  The new sensation was immediately felt by both.  The added tightness caused Aldren to go over the edge and he groaned as he shot his seed deep inside her.  For her part, Ameni felt his manhood rub and stimulate parts of her that had never been touched.  When she felt him swell and erupt into her, she felt her own release start.  Her body tightened as the muscles within her lower body went into a rhythm of release.  Their groans and cries mingled as much as their combined fluids mixed together.

Aldren collapsed onto his elbows above her.  Her eyes were still closed as she came down from the clouds and he kissed both of her eyelids before moving to her lips.  She smiled then reached up and returned the kiss.  As he felt himself slip out of her he rolled off her and onto his back.  She moved over to where she was laying on her side partially draped over him.  It was in this position that they fell into a deep and dreamless slumber.

They stayed in the village several days enjoying the hospitality of the grateful people.  In the evenings, they ate with a different family enjoying the company and the food.  In return they would tell tales of things they have seen and the places they have been.  The young women would flirt with Aldren and the young boy could do little more than gaze at Ameni in a mixture of awe and lust.

The day finally came that they both agreed that it was time to move on.  These people were not wealthy by any means and the harvest had not been the best this last season.  In addition they were both feeling a strange pull to be once again alone in the wilderness.  They packed their saddlebags and donned their armor once again.

The villagers that had grown used to seeing them just in tunics and leggings were awed once again when they appeared in their full apparel.  Their horses were saddled and waiting for them.  The smith had cared for them well trimming their feet and brushing them until they almost glowed.  They mounted and once again rode from the village, the cries of well-wishers fading from their ears as they moved on.

The road was wide and they rode side by side for most of the distance.  The sun was warm and their horses were in fine spirits as they trotted northward once again.

Ameni broke their silence by asking if he had figured out what had happened during the fight.  Aldren tried to explain what he felt, but ended up falling into an uncomfortable silence.

“What I do know is that I must control whatever it is.  I can get the start of the tingle that I felt, but I have not pushed to see if it will come back or not.”

“Maybe if you can hold the rage down, keep control of it, you won’t be hurt so bad afterward.”

Aldren thought on this while they were riding.  If he could keep his wits without going into a full-blown battle rage, perhaps it would work.  Problem was, he never knew when the rage would overtake him.  And the lifestyle of an outlaw and sword for hire would put him into situations that could trigger it.

They found an open area near some trees and decided to camp there.  They were many leagues from the village and were tired.  After the evening meal they were sitting near the fire, Aldren sharpening his sword and daggers and Ameni replacing the damaged string of her bow.

Aldren decided to try to bring back the power that had appeared when he rescued Ameni.  Concentrating on what emotions he was feeling at that time, he brought the anger and fear to the top.  The tingling started as just a feeling of power starting deep in his body and radiating out to encompass his arms and legs.  As the power increased and moved out, he tried to control it with his mind.  It wavered a bit, threatening to take over, but he fought it.

Into his mind came words that he could not speak, but instinctively knew they were the words of control and power that would allow him to work with the magic he was summoning.  He used the words in his mind to contain and finally suppress the magic, and he felt the power die back.

When his mind came back to the present he realized that Ameni was staring at him with just a hint of fear in her eyes.  Then he felt his muscles try and cramp up again.

This time it was more of tightness rather than the spasms of horrible pain that he had felt before.  The cramping subsided and he was hit with a feeling of exhaustion.

Ameni came over to him to massage his arms and shoulders.  “I have to tell you that was a scary sight to see.  You seemed to grow taller and I could almost see you drawing power. The air was cracking like thunderbolts all around you.”

“I controlled it.  I could feel it coming into me, trying to take over.  I was fighting it in my mind when some words came to me.  I couldn’t pronounce them, but somehow I knew they would hold the power in check.  I used them to drive it back down.”  

He stretched his legs out starting to recover from the feeling of exhaustion.  “I am not sure if it is a good thing or something that I should try to use.  It leaves me as weak as a newborn babe.”  With that he lay back and was asleep within minutes.  Ameni set herself to watch until he recovered. 

Aldren dreamed of his mother that night.  It was about when he was young and had seen his mother battle a mage that was intent on destroying her.  The shaft of flame that he remembered seemed to be just like what Ameni had described when he had destroyed the leader of the raiders.  More importantly, the words that he had heard in his head were the same ones his mother had used when she had destroyed the mage.  Now he understood that it was an ancient tongue that was the basis of the power that had been in the lands long before the present days.

Ameni woke him midway through the night for his watch, and he was surprised that he felt no effects of his working the magic.  The rest of the night went quietly, with the far off sound of a wargbear screaming breaking the silence.

Once they were on the road, he told Ameni of the dream and what he had discovered.  He could tell that she was uneasy with the power that he seemed to possess.  She would be stiffer in her posture and her movements less relaxed.  He questioned her about it.

She rode in thought for a moment then pulled up for him to come along side of her.  “I think it comes from the fear of powerful magics that had been all about me most of my life.  Our clan shied away from any but the most simple, thus the most safe of spells.  And the sight of you when you become enveloped in flame is frightful indeed.”

Tensions eased then as they rode forward.  They were getting closer to the northern rim of the lands.  The sight of the high mountain crags was becoming clear now.  The destination that Aldren had been trying for when he first met Ameni was supposed to be at the base of those mountains.  He was still headed there in the hopes of joining the group of rebels that were said to be massing there.

Ameni had agreed to accompany him there in the beginning, but since their relationship had become more than just friends and companions, the situation became one of mutual consent.

He asked her about it the next morning during their practice.  She moved out of her stance, thought for a second then answered.  “At first there was nowhere else I could go.  Since we have become much more than just companions.  If you wish to go on to the Tower of the Guard, then of course I will go with you.  Even though we are not officially bonded for my part I believe we are.  Besides where else could I go to get this much adventure.”

Aldren leaned on the hilt of his sword. “For my part we are bonded closer than any ceremony could make us.  We have been through life and death together.  Where some would look askance at you weapons skills, it is something that I cherish in you.  For I can see both sides of you and fear neither.  Once we get to a settlement that has an Elvish council, I would like to make our bonding official.”

He had finally said something that had really been on his mind since she had been captured.  The fear that he would lose Ameni and once again be alone had caused him to realize that he needed to have their bonding made official in the records of the elvish clans.

Ameni was very happy and very relieved.  She had wanted this since the first time they made love, but felt she could not bring it up.  She did not want him to feel trapped and that it was of his own free will.  Now she knew that he wanted her forever since the Elven bonding was considered to transcend just this plane of existence.  Elves never bonded more than once.

They stayed where they were for the day, taking advantage of the secluded glade they were in to rest and take stock of what supplies they had.  Ameni’s bow had brought down two hares that they roasted for the evening’s meal.  They were seated on opposite sides of the fire when Ameni dropped the scabbard she was oiling.  She grabbed her bow and knives and moved into the darkness.

Aldren had seen her first movements and reacted by pulling his sword and moving back to where the horses were.  It was a few moments before a voice called out from the direction of the road they had been following.  “Hello near the fire.  I wish to come in.”

“What be your need and who are you?”  Aldren bellowed out.

“I am from the Tower of the Guard and I must ask what is your business here?”

“I am searching for the Tower of the Guard.  I fled from the King’s garrison and seek to find safety.”

“What is the name you go by?”  Asked the voice as he approached the light.

“I am known as Aldren, son of Harcon and Elisene.”

The movement stopped dead.  Aldren could hear the man chuckle quietly.  “So they haven’t got you yet, you old cur.  I thought I recognized the voice, but I had to be sure.  It is I, Vabryn.”

The leader of the men stepped into the light.  It was indeed Vabryn.  A couple more men came up behind him.  Aldren was still unsure as to if this was a trap, so he did not speak of Ameni’s presence.  He did however step into the light so his old friend could see who it was.

The two clasped forearms in greeting.  He then introduced the men behind him.  They settled by the fire and Vabryn gave Aldren the tale that led to his leaving the service of the king.

“The king is no longer in charge of his own court.  The high priest has slithered his way in like a snake and now makes the decisions.  I think that Baralas that priest had stolen what little mind the king had.

I can tell you that he was livid when those priests were killed in their temple.  Word was sent to us to capture the killers and send them to the court for interrogation, which of course meant torture and death.  I was pretty sure it was you and the elf you were traveling with, but I wouldn’t tell them that.

Rather than hunting you, me and several in my troop left and came straight to the Tower.  By the way, where is that Elf woman anyway.  She sure was a beautiful woman.”

Aldren grinned at his old friend.  “Probably with an arrow aimed at your back.”  With that he whistled and called out in Elvish, “They are friendly.  It is safe to come in.”

In less than a moment’s time, Ameni appeared at the edge of the circle of men.  A few were startled with her silent appearance and reached for their sword hilts.  Vabryn told them to relax.  They did so but kept a close eye on her.  The looks ranged from the wary, to the lustful as she moved gracefully over to where Aldren was seated.

One of Vabryn’s men, a rather tall and stocky fellow spoke up.  “I don’t think bringing women, elven or no into the tower would be right.  After all she may be dressed like a fighter, but she wouldn’t be much good in a fight.”

Aldren started to rise but Vabryn’s hand stayed him.  Vabryn then spoke to the man.  “Kaldon, you have no experience with elves and especially this one.  I saw her notch a shaft and pull a bow on me before I could blink.  Since she is traveling with Aldren I am sure she can use those knives in her belt.  She could best any two of you.”

Kaldon stood laughing at such a thought.  Ameni stood and before the big man could take a breath, she had both of her curved blades out and on each side of his throat.

His eyes bulged in terror as he realized just how close he had come to death just then.  The others in the troop started to rise, but Vabryn calmed them down.  Ameni just smiled at the man and slowly replaced her weapons and returned to her seat.

Kaldon sat down much slower and with less grace.  He looked at the elf for a moment rubbing his throat.  “My pardon Lady for doubting you.  I would never have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes.”

Ameni nodded her acceptance of the apology and things settled down.  The troop decided to escort the warriors to the Tower in the morning and after drawing lots for watch, they all settled down for the night.

Aldren thought he would be relieved to make it to the Tower, but strangely he felt that rather than the end of their journey, it was just starting another path.